British Columbians aged 60+ getting COVID vaccine booking invites, 18+ can register
Posted April 23, 2021 12:43 pm.
Last Updated April 23, 2021 1:30 pm.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — More than 90,000 people in B.C. aged 60 and older will get an invitation to get their COVID vaccine Friday as B.C.’s Get Vaccinated program moves forward.
Registration is now open for everyone aged 18 and up. Bookings can be made online, over the phone, or in-person at a Service BC office.
So far, more than 1.4 million people in B.C. have received at least one vaccine.
BCs age vaccination now booking 60 year-olds.
The process seemed stuck at 63 – as clinically vulnerable and priority vaccinations were in tandem with an already large age group. Now ticking down again.#bcpoli #covid19 @news1130 pic.twitter.com/C28yKBID6w— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) April 23, 2021
On Thursday, the province announced 1,006 new cases of COVID-19 and four deaths.
There were 502 patients in the hospital, 161 of whom are in intensive care.
In an effort to cope with the strain on the healthcare system, Health Minister Adrian Dix announced Thursday that at least 1,750 non-urgent surgeries across the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions were being postponed.
Related articles:
-
B.C. delays some non-urgent surgeries as COVID hospitalizations hit new record
-
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can be given to adults 30+, NACI says
How do I get in line for a vaccine?
A province-wide online booking system launched on Tuesday, April 6.
You may also register for booking by calling toll-free: 1-833-838-2323
You can also go in-person at a Service BC office.
After you register, you will be given a confirmation number, which you will need to book your actual appointment.
You will be contacted when you are eligible to book an appointment. That booking can be made online or by phone.
If you have health-related questions, you should call 8-1-1.
If you have any questions about non-health related information and services related to COVID-19, you should call 1-888-COVID19 (line open 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
What information do I need when booking my appointment?
When you call, you will be asked for:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Postal code
- Personal Health Number (Note: If you do not have one, you can still receive the vaccine. However, you will not be able to register online)
- A contact email address or phone number
You will NOT be asked for your SIN, driver’s licence number, or banking/credit card details.
An agent will arrange and confirm an appointment time and clinic location (see a full list below), and a confirmation message will be sent by email or text.
What should I know about my appointment?
You are asked to wear a short-sleeved shirt and a mask to your appointment. If you do not have a mask, one will be given to you. You are also asked to arrive a few minutes before your scheduled start time. Everyone is allowed to bring one person for support, if they wish.
After you check in for your appointment at the clinic and receive your vaccine dose, you will be required to wait in an observation area for 15 minutes.
The province says to expect to be at the clinic for a total of 30 minutes.